Exploring Creativity with Watercolor and Mixed Media

This book is not only for "painters" but for all types of creative individuals who want to experience and play with watercolor, whether their background is mixed-media, textile art, journaling, or paper craft. Unlike the typical watercolor text books, this unique, beautiful volume is a field book of inspiration, creative ideas, how to's, and projects, all from an artist's perspective. Each creative exercise features a technique, shows step-by-step photographs, and includes a clever idea for a gift or project that can be made from the painted samples.

Heather Smith Jones is a studio artist and arts-based preschool instructor and is represented by a number of galleries nationwide. Her work is in the public collections of the Sprint Corporation and Emprise Financial Corporation and many private collections. She has completed residencies at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and Hall Farm Center for Arts and Education. In addition to her own studio work, Smith Jones collaborates with other artists in photography and art projects of multi-disciplines. She lives in Lawrence, Kansas. Visit www.heathersmithjones.com, www.hrsmithjones.blogspot.com, www.noticingproject2009.wordpress.com, and www.candscollective.com.

Smith Jones has written the perfect introduction to water colors for the mixed-media enthusiast who wants a step-by-step approach, and she provides beautiful examples...If the beautiful watercolor examples by Smith Jones are not enough visual eye candy, you'll find more in the Gallery, with work from 11 talented artists. - Jenn Mason, "in the mix: now read this",Cloth Paper Scissors , March/April 2011

Water Paper Paint: Exploring Creativity with Watercolor and MixedMedia. Quarry: Quayside. 2011. 156p. illus. ISBN 9781592536559. pap.$22.99. ART INSTRUCTIONStudio artist Smith Jones presents a new kind of art how-to book, inwhich she tackles many of the intangibles of the creative process butfrom a practical point of view. She is not constrained by any onemedium, and she encourages readers to stretch beyond their boundaries.Various drawing, watercolor, and collage materials, as well asdifferent methods, subject matters, and ways to display completedwork, are discussed. This book will appeal to artists who want torekindle their creative spirit, and it could inspire hobbyists andscrapbookers to take a next step. - Library Journal, February 2011

Sarah Ahearn Bellemare, author of Painted Pages, talks to Heather Smith Jones in the Poppytalk Blog about her journey as an artist, from a child to the "many hats" she wears now as painter, author, and instructor. Read More.